Steam locomotive



Oct. 5 192s. 1,601,883

J. RUTHS STEAM LOCOMOTIVE Filed April 9. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Oct. 5, 1926. i

UNITED STATES BUTHS, or DJ'URSHOLM, swnnnn, nssrenon T0 nxrrnnonnen'r varon- AOKUMULATOR,-OZE .STOCKHOLM, swnnnn, A conronerron.

honnmvns s'rnm nocomo'rrvn.

PATENT OFFICE.

Applicationflled April 9, 1923, Serial No. 630,979, and in Sweden September '28, 1922.

The quantity of steam required for driving a locomotive is subject to continued variations. At times the train is standing at a station, at times it must be rapidly started and brought up to full speed, at times the train has an u grade to surmount, at times it is being bra ed on a down-grade etc. As the water space of the boiler used is very small in all existing constructions, there is practically no equalization between the heat produced by the fire or the generation of; steam and the steam consumption. The fire must, vconsequently, follow the variations in the steam consumption almost exactly. A

slight equalization may be elfected by 'introducing cold water into the boiler at times when the steam pressure is rising. It is true that this measure is always taken in locomotive service, but it must be considered to be wrong in principle, as great variations in the water level can not be allowed in boiler constructions as now in use. If the water level falls too much, there is danger of explosion and, should it rise too high, water is carried over intothe cylinders. Furthermore since the water level in the boiler is subject to continued local variations due to the slope. of the track, variations in the rate of speed of the train etc., it; is evident that the variationsin said water level must not be unnecessarily increased beyond the inevitable ones. I.

Under present conditions the management of the fire on a locomotive is very difiicult on account of the necessity of paying regard to the average water level, and its localvariations mentioned above, keeping'the pressure from falling too much and keeping the safe;

ty valves from blowing. Almost without exception su'ch'blowing occurs on the train while stopping at the stations. It is readily seen, that this must be the case in 'a rationally efi'ected driving, with the arrangements in use at present since aconsiderably greater quantity of steam is required to start a train than is necessary in regular operation.

Therefore it will not suflice that the pressure in the boiler is high immediately before the start. of the fire must also in this instant be so The generation of steam or the power The steam space of the locomotive boiler 7 great that the boiler is capable or continuously delivering the necessary quantity of steam, without the pressure falling. Now

if it is impossible immediately before the start to feed cold water into the boiler, which feeding however, as stated above, can not last but for a short time, there remains no other possibility than to'let the safety valves .blow, which results in every great losses of heat. Nevertheless, this manner ofoperation is used in all existing locomotives, a

really practical'arrangement for effecting an the furnace or the generation of steam andthe steam demand of the ,steam "engine,

.whereby the firin of the locomotive can be more rationally edected than is now the case.

The invention consists in an arrangement which enables surplus of steam from the locomotive boiler to beconducted to a storer arranged on the locomotive or on its tender or on any other car connected to the locomotive, said storer consisting of a well insulated receptacle partly filled with water, in which receptaolethe steam is allowed to condense and from which feed water is supplied to the locomotive boiler.

The water space of said storer nectedwith the steam space of the boiler bymeans of a piping in which an over-flow.- valve 1s inserted, said @valve being so con structed and arranged that it opens and lets through the surplus of steam into the :90

storer, should the pressure of the piping in front of the valve, that is the pressure of the locomotive boiler, rise beyond a certain value.

. Moreover the water space of the storer is connected with the water spaceof the locomotive boiler by means of a conduit in which a pump is provided by means of which feed water from the storer may be forced into the locomotive boiler.

is cong is connected with the water space of the motive and to obtain greater power in upgrades etc. the steam motor is referably onnected with the steam space 0 the boiler ird with that of the storer in such a way that steam may be "simultaneously obtained from the boiler as well as from the storer, or only from one of them. In certain cases for instance it is possible to have the locomotive standing cold, while nevertheless, the storer is charged, and thereby it will be possible to perform certain shunting work and the like with steam from the storer.

Moreover, the steam motor is connected with the water space of the storer in such a way that exhaust steam from the steam motor can be conducted to the storer should this be found suitable in some case or other. Said arrangement relieves the fireman of the care of the water level in the boiler, as

- he need no longer vary said level for the purpose of equalizing said variations to some extent, but he is able to set the water level in such a way as to answer the requirements regarding the safety of-the boiler and the driving of the engine. At the same time, he need not fear that the safety valve will easil blow, as is now the case. Further, the firing is facilitated by this invention, it being not necessary to force it as much as now is the case. Other advantages are also involved by the use of this invention, among which the following may be mentioned.

A considerable. increase in the efiiciency of the boiler or a decrease in the fuel con- .sumption is obtained caused partly by the fact that the fire need not be constantly controlled, asis now the case, by opening and closing'the' dampers, and partly by the temperaturebf the feed water becoming con s'iderablyihi her than hitherto. ,Therefore, the fire nee not be. forced as much as is now the case which, of course, is of advantage to the fuel economy.

By the feed water being warm the possibility of increasing the generation of steam,

(728 cal. being the total heat of steam at 10 atm. pressure and 300 C. which is an average condition of operation formodern locomotives); If the driving power is the same, the .intensity of the firing can consequently be decreased by about 20%, or if the fire is the same,- the generation of steam can be increased by saving of steam may be made by the firing being less forced, as will be described hereinbelow,-whereby the pressure may be maintainedhigher and the specific consumption of the boiler is decreased.

The train" can be brought to the. desired rate of speed much more rapidly'than is now the case, and also develop a greater s eed on the line, this being an advantage 0 not the least importance under the present. circumstances. This depends part1 on the fact that before starting, up-gra es or the like, it is possible to maintain the fire"at a greater intensity without fearing that the safety valve will blow, and partly on the fact that the feed water has the same, temperature as the water in the boiler and therefore the neoessar feeding of water does not, in long up-gra es, bring about a ecrease in the generation of steam, as is no the case.

The water level in the boiler can always be held normal-and, therefore it is always possible to prevent water from being entrained into the cylinders and also to ob viate any danger of explosion especially in down-grades of the line) w 'ch may varlse.

The management of the fire will be considerably simplified. It is known that with the arrangements now in use, proper cooperation with the driver and accurate knowledge of the route to be travelled are necessary factors for enabling the fireman to succeed reasonably well in performing his duties. In using the storer above referred td he need not at all be anxious to exactly fix the time for forcing the fire before an upade ,or' a start, nor, on the other hand, to 'sh firin immediate? mg compensated for by the storer without corresponding losses of heat.

before the top of an up-gra e, all such irregularities be;

On account of the fact that thecapability of the boilerto generate steam is increased by about 27%, the fire need not be forced as frequently as before, and thereby the quantity of broken-coal carried away on forced losses are thus avoided.

It happens often that a leakage occurs in the boiler on' account of the cold'water fed into the boiler sinking down to the bottom of the boiler where it causes leaksyespecialiy at service will be considerably" reduced. Great v and blow off the steam not actually conthe lower part of the fire box. Asthe feed-.

ing according to the invention is peiformed with water of the same temperature as that in the boiler, this disagreeable drawback is of courseeliminated. For the same reason the durability of the locomotive or of the boiler will be increased and the necessity of repairs isreduced; For the same reason the danger of fire by ignition through sparks is a-lsolessened and the cleanliness on the train is improved.

As a'last advantage it may be mentioned, that the water by being heated in the storer is freed from sediment which often may be troublesome for the operation of the boiler, the evaporating capacity of the heating surface and the durability being thus increased. In the accompanying drawings, Fig. l is a longitudinal elevation of a locomotive and tender embodying my invention, drawn partly in section, showing the more important features of my invention in heavy lines, certain minor features in lighter lines and, for sake of clearness, omitting parts which are old and obvious.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the forward end of the tender shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagram of the parts in Figs. 1 and 2, serving to more readily explain the invention. Fig. 4 isv a cross sectionof a pressure operated valve controlling introduction of cold water into the storer to condense the steam therein, thus lowering the pressure and heat ing the water.

Fig. 5' shows an indicator for indicating the water level in thestorer.

Fig. 6 1s a cross section of an overflow valve.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3,, M designates the 16- comot-ive boiler. from the steamdome of which a pipe L extends to an insulated storer A preferably arranged on the tender T, said storer being filled in part with .hot

water of a temperature and a pressure somewhat lower than those of the boiler.

The steam pipe L opens close to the bottom of the said storer into the water space,

1 and the steamy is distributed-by means of nozzles K. .In the upper part of the storer,

a number of spray-nozzles S are arranged, to"

' which the water is supplied by means of the injector J through the conduit L from the cold feed water receptacle W on the tender..

Inserted in the conduit L are a non-return valve B and a so-called over-flow valve V,, the latter being separately shown in Fig; 6.

This valve is operated-in response to the pressure in front of the same, in pipe L that is the boiler pressure and is adjusted to open sumed but formed in the boiler, into the storer A, at a pressure lying 011 or 0.2 kg.

' below the pressureat which the safety valve risen to the boiler pressure, for instance to 2 kg. below said pressure, the valve V then admitting steam to the inject-or J, which sucks cold water from the water receptacle \V of tender T, the cold water in the storer A" then condensing the steam entering through the conduit L It is evident that thereby an approximately constant pressure isalways obtained in the storer A, said pressure being determined by the valve V and the same being preferably so regulated as to be about 1 to 2 kg. below the boiler pressure.

In such a way, the conduit L will not be too large. On the other hand, a difference of pressure of 2 kg. corresponds, with the locomotive pressures used, only to a difference of temperature of 5 centigrade. As the storer operates between the temperamm of the tender, which is 0 to 15 centigrade, and approximately 185 centigrade, this difference of,5 centigrade has practically no influence upon the size of the storer.

With a view to ensuring safety, however,

the storer is preferably constructed for the same pressure as the boiler.

The water level in the storer is evidently a measure of thequantityof steam which is condensed in its water space for the ,time

being, and there is an entirely constant relation between the water level and the quantity of condensed steam.

C designates the cylinders of the locomotive which are supplied by steam from the boiler by means of pipe 10. A pipe 11 connects thev steam space of the storer with the cylinders so thatsteam may be supplied to the cylinders'from the storer. A check valve 12 in pipe 11 prevents flow of steam in pipe 11 towards the storer. Pipe 13 permits exhaust steam fromthe cylinders to pass into the storer.

' Steam pump P forces water from storer A; into the boilerM through L Indicator .t, shown more in detailin Fig. 5 is operated by float n and indicates the height of water in the storer A. As above explained this indicates the amount of steam stored in storer A. Indicator 6, more specifically shown in Fig. 6 indicates theam'ount of opening of overflow valve V,.

Fig. 6 shows the above-mentioned overflow valve on an enlarged scale. This valve -is, as described above, inserted in the coning counter-balanced by a spring 6. The

diaphragm a is connected to the valve spindle 0 to which the valve cone (1 is attached. If the pressure in front of the valve rises beyond a certain value, the force actuating the diaphragm a will be eater than the reaction force of the spring I), and therefore the spindle 0, together with the valve cone 41, will rise, the valve being opened J so as to admit steam to the storer.

'The position of the valve cone (1 may be read off on an indicator e connected to the spindle 0. Consequently, it is possible on said indicator, if suitably graduated, to read off directly the quantity of steam flowing to the storer.

.In Fig. 4, a, valve V is shown on an enlarged scale, said valve being inserted in the conduit L (see Fig. 3) through which steam may be admitted to the injector J.

If the pressure in the storer rises, said pressure will actuate the diaphragm f which is counter-balanced by the spring g. If the storer pressure on the diaphragm 7 becomes a greater than the power with which the spring 9 acts on the sanie,the valve It opens, and the pressure of the storer will then actuate the piston i which is then moved upwards against the action of the spring is,

whereby the valve 1 is opened and steam is admitted to the injector J which feeds water from the water rece tacle on the tender to the distributing nozz e S in the storer, .caus-.

ing the pressure in the storer to fall.

Moreover, at the place of the fireman, a distance water-level indicator according to Fig. '5 is preferably arranged whereby he is able to read oif the water level in the storer at every moment and thus to find out the state of charge of the storer at the same time.

This water-level indicator consists of a float n which is arranged in the storer and pivoted by means of the lever 0 about the point p connected with a segment g. Attached to said (The fireman soon acquires the habit o regulating the water level in the receptacle A in such a wa that the stdrer will alwa 8 contain a s cient amount ofwaterw on required, while on the other hand, not contain toe much water. For instance, immediately before a. station the water level in the storer should not behi her than. that the steam generated by the Er that it does' e during the; stop, and condensed in the storer together with the water required for this urpose,

may find place in the storer. On t e other hand, the fireman has always the possibility of determining from 'the position of the over-flow valve V how much steam is supplied to the storer on any occasion.

If sometimes the fireman has not? the proper water level in the storer, this eventuality does not, of course, involve any risk asis' the case when regulating by means of the water level of the boiler.

In the receptacle, much more steam may be stored than in the boiler, by varying the water level, it being possible to select one having a size of from 4 to 6 97?. even when using an existingtenderJ The boiler of the Swedish fast train locomotives has a water surface of about 6 at. As a variation in the water level of 100 mm. must, be considered to be the highest allowable, only 0.1 6000= 600 liters of water or.

isdk I of steam may be stored in the boiler, while in the storer with a volume of say 4m,

per hour in normal service, or about 167 kg.

per minute, the storage in the boileriwill only last for i v v 1 whereas the storage the storer will last for From this it will be seen that a storer of the said size is more than suflicient to take up all the steamgenerated by the fire during normal stops at a station, without it being necessary to damp the fire.

6 minutes The storer should preferably placed on "H the tender as described above. 3 new structures, it may bedisposed in the fore part of the locomotive in front of the boiler, 011-10 may be arranged in a saddleelike fashion over the boiler When placing the storer on the tender" steam aswell as water may be transmitted between thei stprer and the boiler by means of'flexible of known.

The in'lparallel, as stated above, in such a way boiler namesake-@7156 coupled that steam from both mayabe'reondueted to .1

the steam motor. In order to render such coupling possible, only a non-return. valve is required in the piping between the storer and the connecting pipe between the loco-, motive boiler and the steam motor.

by Letters Patent of the United States of America is a '1, 'A locomotive comprising a boiler having a steam and water space, driving cylinders, a storer under pressure having a steam and water-space and a varying water level, a pipe connecting the steam spaceof the boiler with the cylinders, means to conduct steam from the steam space of the boiler to the storer and mingle the steam with water in the storer and means to conduct water from the storer to the boiler.

2. A locomotive comprising a boiler having a steam and water space, driving cylinders, a storer under pressure having a steam and water space and a varying water level, a pipe connecting the steam space of the boiler with the cylinders, a pipe connecting the steam space of the boiler with the storer, means to conduct water from the storer to the boilerand a pipe connecting 'the steam space of the storer with the cylinders.

3. A locomotive comprising a boiler having a steam and water space, driving cylinders, a storer under pressure having a steam and water space and a varying water level, a pipe connecting the steam space of the boiler with the cylinders, conducting means to conduct steam from the steam space of the boiler to the storer and min Ie the steam with water in the storer, a va ve* in the said conducting means operated in response to boiler pressure and means to conduct water from the storer to the boiler.

4. A locomotive comprising a boiler hav" ing a steam and water space, driving .cylin ers, a storer under pressure having a steam and water space and a varying water level, a pipe connecting the steam space of the boiler with the cylinders, a pipe connecting the steam space of the boiler with the storer, a valve in the last mentioned pipe operated in response to boiler pressure, means to. conduct water from the storer to the boiler and means to conduct steam from the storer to the cylinders.

5. A locomotivecomprising a boiler having a steam and waterspace, driving cylinders, a water receptacle, a storer under pressure having a steagn and water space and a varying water level, a pipe connecting the steam space ofthe boiler with the storer a valve in said pipe, means to actuate said valve in response to boiler pressure, said means being so adjusted that said valve opens upon rise of pressure above a predetermined value and admits the surplus of What I claim as new and desire to secure showing the osition of said valve, a pipe connecting said water receptacle with said storer, mechanism to force water through steam generated to the storer, an indicator 6| the last mentioned pipe, a pipe leading steam to said mechanism to operatelthe same, a second valve in the last mentioned pipe, means to operate said second valve in response 'to the pressure in the storer and so adjusted that the second valve opens when the pressure in the storer has risen above a predetermined value somewhat lower than the previously mentioned predetermined value, an indicator showing the height ofwater in the storer, means to conduct steam from the steam space of theboiler to the driving cylinders, and means to conduct water from the storer to the boiler.

6. A locomotive comprising a boiler having a steam and water space, drlving cyl-.

inders, a water receptacle, a storer under pressure having a steam and water space and a varying water level, a pipe connecting the steam space of the boiler with the storer, means to control flow of steam through said pipe, a pipe connecting said water receptacle with said storer, mechanism to force water through the last mentioned pipe, a pipe leading steam to said mechanism to operate the same, a valve in the last mentioned pipe,

-means to operate said valve in response to the pressure in the storer and so adjusted that the valve opens when the pressure in the storer has risen above a predetermined value, an indicator showing the height of water in the storer, means to conduct steam from the steam space of the boiler to the driving cylinders, and means to conduct Water from the storer to the boiler.

7. A locomotive comprising a boiler having a steam and water space, driving cylinders, a water receptacle, a. storer under pressurehaving a steam and water space and a varying water level, a pipe connecting the steam space of the boiler with the storer, a valve in said pipe, mean's to actuate said valve in response to boiler pressure, said means being so adjusted that said valve conduct water from the storer to the boiler.

8. A locomotive comprising a boiler having a steam and water space, driving cylinders, a water receptacle, a storer under pressure having a steam and water space and a varying water level, a pipe connecting the from the steam space of the boiler to the steam space of the boiler with the water driving cylinders, and means to conduct J driving cylinders, and means to. conduct water receptacle with sai series of nozzles,

. means to control flow of with said storer,

space of the storer, meansto control flow of water from the storer to the boiler.

steam through said pipe, a series of nozzles 12. A locomotive comprisinga boiler havin said storer, a pipe connecting said water ing a steam and water space, driving c L receptacle with said series of nozzles, mechainders, a water receptacle, a storer -un er nism to force water through the last menpressure having a steam ;and water space tioned pipe, means to control said mechaand a varying water level, a pipe connecting nism in response .to the pressure in the the steam space of the boiler w1th the water storer, an. indicator showing the height of space of the 's'torer, means to control flow waterin the storer, means to conduct steam of steam through said pipe, a series of from the steam space of the boiler to the nozzles in said storer, a pi e connecting said water from the storer to the boiler.v mechanism to force water throu h the last 9. A locomotive comprising a boilerhavmentioned pipe, means to con uct steam ing a steam and water space, driving cylinfrom the steam space of the boiler to the ders, a water receptacle, astorer under presdriving cylinders, and means to conduct sure having a steam and water space and a water from the storer to the boiler.'.

varying. water level, a pipe connecting the 13. A locomotive comprising a boiler havsteam space of the boiler with the. storer, ing a steam and water space, c 1- means to control flow of steam through said inders, a water receptacle, a storer un or pipe, a pipe connecting said water receptacle pressure having a steam. and water ,spaoe'-?j-- A .with said storer, mechanism to force water and a varying water level, a pipe connecting through the last mentioned pipe, means to the steam space of the boiler with the storer,

control said mechanism in response to the means to control flow of steam through saidpressure in the storer, an indicator showing pipe, a pipe connecting said water recepthe height of water in the storer, means to tacle with said storer, mechanism to force conduct steam from the steam space of the water through the last mentioned pipe, boiler to the driving cylinders, and means to, means to conduct steam from the steam conduct water from thestorer to the boiler. space of the boiler to the driving cylinders, 10. A locomotive comprising a boiler havand means to conduct water from the storer ing a steam and water space driving cylinto the boiler.

ders, a water receptacle, a storer under pres- 14. A locomotive comprising a boiler havsure having a steam and water space and a ing a and water space, driving cylinvarying water level, a pipe connecting the ders, a water-receptacle, a storer under pressteam space of the boiler with the storer, sure having asteani and water space and a steam through said varying water level, a pipe connecting the pipe, a pipe connecting said water receptacle steam space of the boiler with the storer,

throu h the last mentioned I i e, means to pi a ipe connectin contrgl said mechanism in r sgonse to the said storer, mec pressure in the storer, steam from the steam space of the boiler to conduct steam from the steam space ofthe the driving 0 linde'rs, and moans-41o conduct boiler to the driving1 cylinders, means to water from t e storer-to the boiler. conduct water from t anism to force water means to conduct through the last mentioned .pipe, means to 11. A locomotive comprising a boiler hava steam and water space, dIIlVIDg c linders, a water receptacle, a storer un er pressure having a steam and water space and a varying water level, apic connecting the steam s ace of the boiler with the water space of t e storer, a valve in said pipe, means'to actuatesaid valve in response to boiler pressure, said means being so adjusted that said valve)opens upon rise of pressure above a predetermined value and A admits the surplus of steam generated to the storer, an lndicator showing the position of said valve,- a series of nozzles in said storer, a pipe connecting said water receptacle with said series of; nozzles, mechanism to force water through last mentioned pipe, an indicator showing the height-of water in the storer, means to conductfsteam and apipe to conduct steam from the storer to the cylinders.

mechanism to force water means to control flow of steam'through, said A sad water receptacle m e storer to the boiler,

15. A locomotive comprisinga boiler havinga steam andwater space, driving inders, awater receptacle, a storer un or pressure having a steam and water space and a varying water level, a pi connecting the steam space of the boiler with the storer,

means to control flow of steam through said pipe, a pipe connectin said water receptacle with said storer, mec anism to force water through the last mentioned pipe, means to control said mechanism in response to the pressure in the storer, means to conduct steam from the steam space of the boiler' to the (hi cylinders, means to conduct water from t e storer to the boiler, and a pi toconduct steam cy ders.

fromthestorertothe 16. A locomotive comprisin a boiler, storer to the boiler and'means to lead cold driving cylinders, a storer un er pressure water into the storer when the pressure having a steam and Water spacerand. a vary therein rises above a predetermined value. 10 1mg water level, means to conduct steam In testimony whereof I aflix my signa- 5 from the boiler to the storer, means to conture. v 7 I .duct steam from the boiler to thedriving I cylinders, means to conduct Water from the J OHANN ES RUTHS. 

